https://wpml.org/forums/topic/default-locale-hreflang-already-exists/

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
You are encountering an issue where the default locale hreflang already exists, which is preventing the correct hreflang setup.
Solution:
If you're experiencing this issue, we recommend checking if the English language is already added in your WPML settings. Please navigate to WPML --> Languages --> Add language and ensure that English is properly configured. Additionally, we have prepared a video tutorial to assist you further: Video Tutorial.

Please note that this solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case. We highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the issue persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML Support Forum for further assistance.

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Tagged: Not WPML issue

This topic contains 9 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Paola Mendiburu 1 month, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Paola Mendiburu.

Author	Posts
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 pm #17555717
nickS-28	Background of the issue: I am trying to resolve an issue related to the default locale hreflang already existing. More details can be found here: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/default-locale-hreflang-already-exists/ Symptoms: I expected to see a correct hreflang setup, but instead, I encountered an issue where the default locale hreflang already exists. Questions: How can I fix the default locale hreflang issue? What steps should I take to resolve this hreflang conflict?
November 7, 2025 at 9:23 am #17556426
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)	Hello, Thank you for contacting us again. 1.- In the ticket you shared, you mentioned that the problem was solved after following the steps described by my colleague Otto in this message: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/default-locale-hreflang-already-exists/#post-16969949 Can you tell me what the issue is after following those steps? 2.- Please increase the WP memory Limit. Minimum requirements are 128Mb: https://wpml.org/home/minimum-requirements/ You can add this to wp-config.php to increase WP memory:` /* Memory Limit / define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); - Add it above the line / That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ You can double-check the WordPress memory limit in WPML -> Support Regards, Carlos
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 pm #17564230
nickS-28	i did not mention anything that it was solved, why would I open a ticket if the issue is solved? adding your code snippet caused an error message
November 11, 2025 at 8:50 am #17565220
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)	Hi, Thank you for your feedback. If the same issue is still happening, then I misunderstood your latest message in the other ticket. Please share the access credentials to the site in your next message, which I have set private. This will allow me to reproduce the issue and double-check the configuration. Confirm you have created a full site backup that you can restore if necessary.
November 11, 2025 at 9:27 am #17565439
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)	Thank you for sharing the credentials requested. I added the language with the US code, and you can see it in WPML -> Languages. Please double-check the results and let me know if you need further help.
November 11, 2025 at 7:43 pm #17568237
nickS-28	wha language did you add? en-us was there already, as well as de-de
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 pm #17568241
nickS-28	we were trying to add en-gb while keeping en-us, please do not make any unauthorized changes. not sure what your change was about but now there is an additional US field. we do not need to English versions for the US. we want to keep en-us and add en-gb for the UK
November 12, 2025 at 9:16 am #17569446
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)	Hi, I need your full cooperation to avoid misunderstandings. 1.- I will remove the 'us' language 2.- I will add 'en-gb' language Can you confirm that you authorize me to run the steps I mentioned above?
November 14, 2025 at 8:28 am #17577684
nickS-28	You need to revert it to how it was before you made any changes. Before the support ticket, the following languages were live: - en_US - de_DE We tried to add additionally: - en_GB But that didn't work and is the basis of this support ticket. The goal is to have these live: - en_US - de_DE - en_GB Can you confirm you understand why this support ticket exists and what the goal is?
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 pm #17584255
Paola Mendiburu WPML Supporter since 11/2020 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Italian (Italiano ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)	Hi there! This is Paola and I will continue with you ticket as Carlos is on holidays. You can´t add that one because it already exists on the english language. So please go to WPML --> Languages --> Add language and add the english language. I have recorded a video for you: hidden link